Stabilized Mixing Container System

ABSTRACT

A stabilized mixing container system eliminates the mess generally caused by mixing mortar or like material. The system includes a container having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. A first slot and a second slot extend into the perimeter wall and are positioned opposite each other. A pair of foot pads is coupled to the container. Each of the foot pads is movable into and out of an associated one of the first and second slots wherein each of the foot pads is movable between an extended position and a storage position. Each of the foot pads extends outwardly from the container when each of the foot pads is in the extended position wherein standing upon the foot pads is configured to inhibit rotation of the container while mixing of contents positioned within the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to container and lid assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new container and lid assembly for eliminating the mess generally caused by mixing mortar or like material.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a container having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. A first slot and a second slot extend into the perimeter wall and are positioned opposite each other. A pair of foot pads is coupled to the container. Each of the foot pads is movable into and out of an associated one of the first and second slots wherein each of the foot pads is movable between an extended position and a storage position. Each of the foot pads extends outwardly from the container when each of the foot pads is in the extended position wherein standing upon the foot pads is configured to inhibit rotation of the container while mixing of contents positioned within the container.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top front side perspective view of a container and lid combination system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partially-exploded top front side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure showing the foot pads being pivotable into and out of the container.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure showing the foot pads being hingedly coupled to the container.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure showing the foot pads being laterally offset from each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10 thereof, a new container and lid assembly embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10, the stabilized mixing container system 10 generally comprises a container 12 having a bottom wall 14 and a perimeter wall 16 coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall 14. A top edge 18 of the perimeter wall 16 defines an access opening into an interior space 20 of the container 12. The top edge 18 includes an outwardly projecting flange 19 extending circumferentially around the access opening. A first slot 36 and a second slot 38 each extend into the perimeter wall 16 and each extends upwardly from the bottom wall 14. The first slot 36 may be positioned opposite the second slot 38. The first slot 36 may have a back wall 44. Similarly, the second slot 38 may have a back wall 46 that is spaced from the back wall 44 of the first slot 36 as clearly shown in FIG. 4.

A lid 22 is selectively couplable to the container 12. The lid 22 is positionable on the top edge 18 of the perimeter wall 16 to close the access opening. The lid 22 has a central opening 28 positioned therein defined by an inner edge 26 of the lid 22. The lid 22 may taper downwardly and inwardly from an upper edge 30 of the lid 22 to the inner edge 26 of the lid 22 such that the lid 22 tapers inwardly toward the opening 28. This allows contents to be added to the container 12 without creating a mess. The lid 22 further includes an outwardly projecting lip 32. The lip 32 is coupled to and extends a full distance around the upper edge 30 of the lid 22. The flange 19 extends around and selectively engages the lip 32 to secure the lid 22 to the top edge 18 of the container 12. A plurality of rim members 34 is coupled to and extends downwardly from the lid 22. The rim members 34 facilitate lifting of the lid 22 from the top edge 18 of the container 12.

A pair of foot pads 48 is coupled to the container 12. Each of the foot pads 48 is movable into and out of an associated one of the first 36 and second 38 slots wherein each of the foot pads 48 is movable between an extended position 50 and a storage position 52. Each of the foot pads 48 extends outwardly from the container 12 when each of the foot pads 48 is in the extended position 50 wherein standing upon the foot pads 48 is configured to inhibit rotation of the container 12 while mixing of contents positioned within the container 12. An outer edge 64 of each foot pad 48 may be positioned flush with respect to the perimeter wall 16 of the container 12 when the associated foot pad 48 is positioned in the storage position 52 to conceal and store the foot pads 48 while not in use. A bottom surface 56 of each of the foot pads 48 may be positioned flush with respect to a lower surface 42 of the bottom wall 16 when the foot pads 48 are in the extended position 50.

A number of embodiments are shown in the Figures with respect to movement and relative positioning of the foot pads 48. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, each of the foot pads 48 may be slidable into and out of the associated first 36 and second 38 slots. Additionally, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, each foot pad 48 has a top surface 66 that may be concavely arcuate. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the foot pads 48 may be pivotable into and out of the associated first 36 and second 38 slots. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one or more hinges 86 may be attached to each of the foot pads 48 to hingedly couple the foot pads 48 to the container 12. This would allow each of the foot pads 48 to swing outwardly from the associated first 36 and second slots 38 to move between the storage position 52 and the extended position 50. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the foot pads 48 may be slidable into and out of the associated first 36 and second slots 38, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5. However, the embodiment of FIG. 10 shows the foot pads 48 being laterally offset from each other to provide for increased stability while stepping on the foot pads 48. The lateral offset foot pads 48 shown in FIG. 10 may alternatively be hingedly coupled to the container 12, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

Each of the foot pads 48 has an aperture 68 positioned therein. The apertures 68 are configured to facilitate movement of the foot pads 48 into and out of the associated first 36 and second 38 slots. Each aperture 68 may be positioned proximate the outer edge 64 of each associated foot pad 48. The outer edge 64 of the foot pads 48 are positioned distally relative to the container 12 when each of the foot pads 48 is in the extended position 50. A pair of slits 70 extends into the lower surface 42 of the bottom wall 14. Each of the slits 70 is defined by an associated pair of spaced side edges 72. Each of the slits 70 is configured for permitting frictional engagement between a finger and an associated one of the foot pads 48 whereby the associated foot pad 48 is slidable from the associated one of the first slot 36 and the second slot 38 by moving the finger in the associated slit 70. Thus, when a user places his or her finger in one of the apertures 68 and moves their finger within the associated slit 70, the associated foot pad 48 moves between the extended 50 and storage 52 positions. In the event that neither of the first 36 and second 38 slots has a back wall 44, 46, there may be a single slit 70 that extends into the lower surface 42.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, each of the foot pads 48 may have a pair of tabs 74 extending outwardly therefrom. In particular, the tabs 74 may extend outwardly from opposite ends 76, 78 of each top surface 66 wherein the tabs 74 are coextensive with the associated top surface 66. In order to accommodate the tabs 74, each of the first 36 and second 38 slots may include a pair of grooves 80. Thus, each of the grooves 80 has a size and shape corresponding to each of the tabs 74 wherein each of the grooves 80 receives an associated one of the tabs 74 therein.

A handle 82 is coupled to the container 12 to facilitate manual grasping of the container 12. The handle 82 may have a gripping portion 84 attached thereto. The handle 82 has a first end 87 attached to the container 12 above the first slot 36 and a second end 88 attached to the container 12 above the second slot 38. This allows the user to pour the contents of the container 12 outwardly therefrom without the foot pads 48 interfering.

In use, as stated above and shown in the Figures, water and mortar or a like combination of materials to be mixed is placed within the container 12. The lid 22 is attached to the container 12 and the contents within the container 12 are mixed in a conventional manner, using a mixing paddle or the like. However, the foot pads 48 are extended from the container 12 and the user stands upon each of the foot pads 48 to inhibit rotation of the container 12 while mixing the materials within the container 12. Additional water, mortar or the like can be added to the container 12 through the opening 28 in the lid 22 until a desirable consistency is achieved. The tapered nature of the lid 22 also helps retain the contents within the container 12 while the contents are being mixed.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. A container and lid combination system comprising: a container having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending upwardly from said bottom wall; a first slot and a second slot extending into said perimeter wall; and a pair of foot pads being coupled to said container, each of said foot pads being extendable into and out of said container wherein each of said foot pads is movable between an extended position and a storage position, each of said foot pads extending outwardly from said container when each of said foot pads is in the extended position wherein standing upon said foot pads is configured to inhibit rotation of said container while mixing of contents positioned within said container.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising; a top edge of said perimeter wall defining an access opening into an interior space of said container; and a lid selectively couplable to said container, said lid being positionable on said top edge of said perimeter wall.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising said lid having an opening centrally positioned therein.
 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising: said lid including an outwardly projecting lip, said lip being coupled to and extending a full distance around an upper edge of said lid; and said top edge of said perimeter wall including an outwardly projecting flange extending circumferentially around said access opening of said container, said flange extending around and selectively engaging said lip to secure said lid to said top edge of said perimeter wall.
 5. The system of claim 3, further comprising said lid tapering downwardly and inwardly from an upper edge of said lid toward said opening in said lid.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to said container to facilitate manual grasping of said container.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising said handle having a first end attached to said container above said first slot and a second end attached to said container above said second slot.
 8. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of rim members coupled to and extending downwardly from said lid, said rim members being configured to facilitate lifting of said lid from said top edge of said perimeter wall.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising each of said foot pads being slidable into and out of said associated first and second slots.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising each of said foot pads having an aperture positioned therein, said apertures being configured to facilitate movement of said foot pads into and out of said associated first and second slots.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: each of said foot pads having a pair of tabs extending outwardly therefrom; and wherein each of said first and second slots includes a pair of grooves, each of said grooves having a size and shape corresponding to each of said tabs wherein each of said grooves receives an associated one of said tabs therein.
 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising said first slot having a back wall and said second slot having a back wall, said back wall of said first slot being spaced from said back wall of said second slot.
 13. The system of claim 1, further comprising each of said foot pads being pivotable into and out of said associated first and second slots.
 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising each of said foot pads being hingedly coupled to said container.
 15. The system of claim 1, further comprising said first slot being positioned opposite said second slot.
 16. The system of claim 1, further comprising said first slot being laterally offset from said second slot such that each of said foot pads are laterally offset from each other.
 17. The system of claim 1, further comprising each of said foot pads having a top surface being concavely arcuate.
 18. The system of claim 10, further comprising each of said apertures being positioned proximate an outer edge of each associated said foot pad, said outer edge of said foot pads being positioned distally relative to said container when each of said foot pads is in the extended position.
 19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of slits extending into a lower surface of said bottom wall, each of said slits being defined by an associated pair of spaced side edges, each of said slits being configured for permitting frictional engagement between a finger and an associated one of said foot pads whereby said associated foot pad is extendable from said associated one of said first slot and said second slot by moving the finger in said associated slit.
 20. A container and lid combination system comprising: a container having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending upwardly from said bottom wall, a top edge of said perimeter wall defining an access opening into an interior space of said container, said top edge of said perimeter wall including an outwardly projecting flange extending circumferentially around said access opening of said container; a lid selectively couplable to said container, said lid being positionable on said top edge of said perimeter wall, said lid having an opening centrally positioned therein, said lid tapering downwardly and inwardly from an upper edge of said lid toward said opening in said lid, said lid including an outwardly projecting lip, said lip being coupled to and extending a full distance around said upper edge of said lid, said flange extending around and selectively engaging said lip to secure said lid to said top edge of said perimeter wall; a plurality of rim members coupled to and extending downwardly from said lid, said rim members being configured to facilitate lifting of said lid from said top edge of said perimeter wall; a first slot and a second slot extending into said perimeter wall and extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said first slot being positioned opposite said second slot, said first slot having a back wall and said second slot having a back wall, said back wall of said first slot being spaced from said back wall of said second slot; a pair of foot pads being coupled to said container, each said foot pad having a top surface, each of said foot pads being movable into and out of an associated one of said first and second slots wherein each of said foot pads is movable between an extended position and a storage position, each of said foot pads extending outwardly from said container when each of said foot pads is in the extended position wherein standing upon said foot pads is configured to inhibit rotation of said container while mixing of contents positioned within said container, an outer edge of each said foot pad being positioned flush with respect to said perimeter wall of said container when said associated foot pad is positioned in the storage position, each of said foot pads being slidable into and out of said associated first and second slots, each said foot pad having a top surface being concavely arcuate; each of said foot pads having an aperture positioned therein, said apertures being configured to facilitate movement of said foot pads into and out of said associated first and second slots, each said aperture being positioned proximate said outer edge of each said associated foot pad, said outer edge of said foot pads being positioned distally relative to said container when each of said foot pads is in the extended position; each of said foot pads having a pair of tabs extending outwardly therefrom, said tabs extending outwardly from opposite ends of each said top surface wherein said tabs are coextensive with said associated top surface; each of said first and second slots including a pair of grooves, each of said grooves having a size and shape corresponding to each of said tabs wherein each of said grooves receives an associated one of said tabs therein; a pair of slits extending into said lower surface of said bottom wall, each of said slits being defined by an associated pair of spaced side edges, each of said slits being configured for permitting frictional engagement between a finger and an associated one of said foot pads whereby said associated foot pad is slidable from said associated one of said first slot and said second slot by moving the finger in said associated slit; and a handle coupled to said container to facilitate manual grasping of said container, said handle having a first end attached to said container above said first slot and a second end attached to said container above said second slot. 